MAD JUNKETTING.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLII, Issue 138, 12 June 1908, Page 3

MAD JUNKETTING.

A section of the people who have been making so much ado about Mr Dixorr, the Auckland employer who was imprisoned by the Court for refusing to obey its order to pay a carpenter arrears of wages—the difference between, what he had paid him ; and what he should have paid him in accordance with the Arbitration Court's award—have been making merry over his release and doing it in such a way as to occasion doubt as to their mental soundness. Those who wept and rejoiced in turns over Mr Dixon's hardships never thought of 'the young man to whom he paid less 1 wages than he was entitled to receive, 'or of other employers who, as they re- | spected the Court's decision,' and paid full wages, are placed at a disadvantage in their competition with those : who underpay. Even now Mr Dixon morally owes that young man his money. His going to prison and living there at the country's expense, did not wipe out the debt. It does not say much for the fairmindedness of those who have been crying out that great wrong had been heaped upon this Auckland contractor when, in the same breath, they abused the Government because it did not sell the Blackball strikers' household possessions to pay fines and send them to prison, j and demanded the release of an em- | ployer who had been imprisoned, not by the Government, but by the Court, for. refusing to pay what was honestly due to one of his workmen. Yesterday's telegram seeting forth the "high jinks" which a number of shallow, I weak-minded people indulged in on Mr Dixon's release read like a Christmas pantomime. They signalised Mr . Dixon's being let loose by letting j themselves loose to a pretty tune — that the bandsmen could play " See the conquering hero comes" without laughing is an evidence of stolidity unparalleled. But the subsequent proceedings beggar criticism. They

show that any thing may be expected of human nature, even outside the walls of a lunatic asylum. Mr Dixon ■was feted and feasted. As a pleasant, and appetising variant of a prison regime he was regaled with buns and other things; and under the exciting influence of something—.perhaps the currants in the buns—"a resolution was carried recognising Mr Dixon's noble sacrifice in the cause of freedom | <md in fighting the battle of the em- ; ployers of the Dominion." Nothing, ; it will be observed, was thought of the "noble sacrifice" suffered by the i young man whom Mr Dixon deprived ; of his legitimate pay by going to j prison. Freedom, what vagaries are j committed in thy name ! This Mr I Dixon has evinced the freedom of the \ tyrant; amd yet we are told that he i has been ''fighting the battle of the employers of the Dominion." With one accord the employers should disclaim so disgraceful an imputation. .Employers who desire that law and order shall be maintained, and that when a man is shown to have done a wrong to another, he shall rectify it in an honourable way, will not permit this aspersion to go unchallenged. Though a section of the workers make extravagant demands, attempt to achieve their ends by force, and disregard their obligations, that does not entitle an employer to impose upon any of his workmen, and justify a hue and cry against those who battle for a livelihood by honest industry. We have no words in which to express ouf contempt for the individual in Wanganui, if there be any such, who "offered to contribute £200 in fighting any-further action that may be taken against Mr Dixon." It is such folly as this that irritates the workers and gives rise to the socialistic spirit which has created such a scare amongst the least observant, and which is being used as this Dixon cir- • cumstance is, for political, as well as selfish class purposes.—Oamaru Mail.